Streamer cleaning device and method

Abstract

Method and cleaning device for cleaning a seismic streamer. The cleaning device includes a flexible body having a shape that wraps around a longitudinal axis; a movement-generating device attached to an end portion of the flexible body; and first cleaning elements provided on a first portion of the flexible body and configured to clean the seismic streamer. The flexible body is configured to wrap around the seismic streamer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cleaning device for cleaning a seismic streamer, the cleaning device comprising:
 a body having a helicoidal or spiral shape that twists around a longitudinal axis; 
 a movement-generating device attached to an end portion of the body; and 
 first cleaning elements provided on a first portion of the body and configured to clean the seismic streamer, 
 wherein the body is configured to twist around the seismic streamer. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the movement-generating device generates a first force that moves the body along the streamer when the streamer is towed in water. 
     
     
       3. The cleaning device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 plural wings attached along the body and configured to provide a second force on the body. 
 
     
     
       4. The cleaning device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second forces have the same direction. 
     
     
       5. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 second cleaning elements provided on a second portion of the body and configured to clean the seismic streamer. 
 
     
     
       6. The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the first cleaning elements are softer than the second cleaning elements. 
     
     
       7. The cleaning device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 repairing elements provided on a third portion of the body and configured to repair defects in the seismic streamer. 
 
     
     
       8. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to rotate and translate relative to the seismic streamer. 
     
     
       9. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is flexible and it is configured to compress when the first portion is blocked by an obstacle attached to the streamer. 
     
     
       10. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the body changes its shape when the first portion is blocked by an obstacle attached to the streamer so that a radial clearance between the body and the seismic streamer increases. 
     
     
       11. The cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein a net force, along the streamer, on the body increases when the first portion is blocked. 
     
     
       12. The cleaning device of  claim 11 , wherein the body passes the obstacle as the radial clearance and the net force increase. 
     
     
       13. The cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the obstacle is a bird. 
     
     
       14. The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the movement-generating device is an anchor. 
     
     
       15. A cleaning system for a seismic survey system, the cleaning system comprising:
 a cable towed in water; and 
 a cleaning device for advancing along the cable, the cleaning device comprising: 
 a body having a helicoidal or spiral shape that twists around a longitudinal axis; 
 a movement-generating device attached to an end portion of the body and configured to generate a first force along the cable; 
 plural wings attached to the body and configured to generate a second force along the cable; and 
 first cleaning elements provided on a first portion of the body and configured to clean the cable, 
 wherein the body is configured to twist around the cable and the first and second forces act on the body to move it along the cable in a direction opposite to a movement of the cable. 
 
     
     
       16. The cleaning device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 second cleaning elements provided on a second portion of the body and configured to clean the cable, wherein the first cleaning elements are softer than the second cleaning elements; and 
 repairing elements provided on a third portion of the body and configured to repair defects in the cable. 
 
     
     
       17. The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the body is configured to rotate and translate relative to the cable, and the body is also configured to compress when the first portion is blocked by an obstacle attached to the cable. 
     
     
       18. The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the body changes its shape when the first portion is blocked by an obstacle attached to the cable so that a radial clearance between the body and the cable increases and a net force on the body increases along the cable.